Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers cost-effective, centralized network management through seamless integration with FortiGate. It supports enhanced security, flexibility in VLAN management, and intuitive control through an efficient interface.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center | 3.1% |
| Cisco Ethernet Switches | 9.0% |
| Aruba Switches | 8.9% |
| Other | 79.0% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 13 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 4 |
| Large Enterprise | 4 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 113 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 57 |
| Large Enterprise | 106 |
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is valued for its cost-effectiveness and ease of use. It provides seamless integration with FortiGate, enabling centralized network management. Users appreciate its port analytics, graphical interface, and enhanced security features, allowing VLAN creation and configuration across infrastructure. The system offers efficient alerting, automatic adjustments, and functions like QoS and traffic management to maintain consistent security. Its intuitive design and high visibility make it an efficient all-in-one tool for network management. Despite needing improvements in AI integration, security, and pricing, users find it a reliable choice for managing traffic between VMs and physical hosts. It supports network connectivity, VLAN management, and internal traffic control while integrating with security fabric and SD-WAN features.
What are the key features of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?Organizations across industries implement Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center to effectively manage both virtual and physical network environments within data centers. It helps in controlling internal traffic and ensures robust security measures are in place. Its integration with extensive security fabric and SD-WAN features allows for comprehensive network management through a single dashboard, streamlining operations and providing enhanced control over infrastructure.
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| Author info | Rating | Review Summary |
|---|---|---|
| CXO at Aariha Enterprise Private Limited | 4.5 | I’ve used Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center for 10 years to ensure secure, stable connectivity with minimal downtime, centralized management, and effective QoS features, though brand awareness and pricing can be challenges for customers. |
| Information Technology Infrastructure Engineer at REYADA IT SOLUTIONS CO. LLC | 3.0 | I've used Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center for nine years; it's stable and easy to configure, but lacks features compared to Aruba or Cisco, is costly, and has no local support, so I’d rate it six out of ten. |
| Network Security Engineer at STN Inc | 4.5 | We implemented a Fortinet infrastructure including FortiSwitches for both wireless and LAN networks. The integration with FortiGate enhances security by using switch ports as firewall ports, though compatibility with other vendors like Cisco and Sophos needs improvement. |
| senior technical administrator at Ogma Consulting | 4.0 | I use Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center for its flexibility and control, allowing management through a single pane, VLAN creation, and security implementation. However, improvements are needed in customer support responsiveness and device speed to enhance overall efficiency. |
| CTO at Exceed NetSec LLC | 4.0 | We use Fortinet FortiSwitch for seamless integration with Fortinet firewalls, benefiting from centralized management and enhanced security. However, integration with third-party solutions can be challenging, and the discontinuation of SSL VPN support on certain hardware limits functionality. |
| Technology Consultant at ConsultEdge Global Services (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. | 4.0 | I've found Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center to be a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for clients with limited budgets. It efficiently manages data centers, networking, and cybersecurity, although it could benefit from AI integration and enhanced security features for future improvement. |
| Senior Manager Security Operation Center at The Bank of Punjab | 4.5 | I use Fortinet FortiSwitch for managing data centers and appreciate its logging and dashboard features. However, Cisco excels in price, scalability, and management. I'd choose Fortinet over Cisco if the price is right, but long-term ROI favors Cisco. |
| Network Infrastructure Engineer at Softrobotics | 3.5 | We use Fortinet FortiSwitch for internal networking in our data center, primarily for managing clients via VLANs. The intuitive UI aids configuration and integration, though improvements in management, availability, and security would enhance its utility. |
| Senior Manager - IT Operations & Cybersecurity at Bounty Fresh Group | 4.0 | I use Fortinet FortiSwitch for its essential SD-WAN and security fabric features. However, I feel that the UI of the firewall and reporting could be improved. Before using Fortinet, I had experience with Sophos. |
| President at SLP | 4.0 | I found Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center to be a powerful and easy-to-manage product, particularly due to its central management via FortiGate. However, it requires improvements in VLAN management. Overall, I have experienced a return on investment using this solution. |
For the Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center, the purpose is to control internal traffic when customers are connected from the same port or switch to block internal traffic. The solution can be managed from a single FortiGate firewall console to monitor and deploy security, which is the main concern and feature being used.
My customers utilize Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center's QoS features.
With QoS features, they can control internal or broadcasting traffic that provides security benefits, which is useful for them.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center has helped maintain consistent security policies across cloud and on-premise environments.
We have used advanced stacking technology in Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center, with all units operating in stacking mode.
The main actual benefit that Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center brought to my customer's environment is secure connectivity while minimizing downtime from unexpected traffic or broadcasting.
There is always room for improvement in Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center because with this switch, they can reduce downtime due to broadcasting issues by denying specific traffic on particular ports.
Currently, I am not identifying any weak points of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center because it meets the customer's use case. However, the commercial aspect presents challenges, particularly with pricing, as customers often ask for Juniper or Cisco, brands they are more aware of, which makes awareness about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center another weak point.
I have been working with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center for 10 years.
There are no challenges with installing Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center, it is very easy to deploy.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is a stable product.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is scalable.
On a scale from one to 10, I would rate the technical support of Fortinet an eight.
Positive
I can perform the installation independently without any help. We are handling it ourselves with our in-house team who is part of the deployment.
We have 12 technical persons in our in-house team.
The members of our team are engineers.
I am using Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center solutions at the moment.
I am working as a system integrator who has a customer utilizing Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center, and they have been in this industry for more than 15 years.
I am not aware of how Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center integrates with OpenFlow and SDN when it comes to automating network responses.
On a scale of 1-10, I rate Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center a nine overall.
Currently, we are mostly working with Sophos and Fortinet. Before, we worked with XG, but now they have upgraded to the XGS series, and in Fortinet, we are working with FortiGate Firewall. In some projects only, we work with FortiAP and FortiSwitch.
We are a partner plus, and we are a system integrator company. We have completed just fewer than 10 projects with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center. These are not enterprise; we handle SMB projects only, such as a single switch or dual switches.
When we use Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center, the customer typically recommends the switches. If we were to recommend a switch to a customer, we would recommend Aruba or Cisco only. In that project, the customer shared the details.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is very easy to configure. If you connect Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center to FortiGate Firewall directly, then it will just display in the FortiSwitch tab of the FortiGate Firewall.
The performance is basic only, and we cannot compare Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center with Aruba or Cisco switches. Regarding security policies, I did not configure that many policies in Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is on-premises, and the negative of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is that it is costly compared to other switches.
In Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center, I did not see that many features compared to Cisco and Aruba.
I have been using Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center for about nine years.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is stable.
I gave it eight points because local support is absent. The support from the Fortinet team is good, but there is no local support available.
Positive
In switching, we are mostly working with Aruba and Cisco only.
If we were to recommend a switch to a customer, we would recommend Aruba or Cisco only.
I am in Riyadh, and I work as an Information Technology Infrastructure Engineer in the company. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is stable and good. I can give it a six because of the price, local support, and the features. I give Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center an eight out of ten for a reason, as it is still not a perfect ten.
We have installed a whole Fortinet infrastructure, including a Fortinet firewall, which was two hundred F, and from the FortiGate firewall, we installed two FortiSwitches, one for the wireless network and one for the LAN.
We also installed a FortiSwitch on layer three, where we configured all the DSCP servers and routing for the Fortinet firewall and the wireless LAN.
Using Fortinet's whole range, including FortiSwitches, is cost-effective compared to Cisco and beneficial for network security.
When configuring FortiSwitch with a FortiGate firewall, I can consider all FortiSwitch's ports as a part of the FortiGate firewall. This feature allows the switch's ports to be used as firewall ports, enhancing network security by enabling IPS and network profiling directly on the ports.
Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved. Sometimes there are bugs when integrating with Sophos and other products.
I have more than three years of experience with FortiGate firewalls and more than one year of experience with FortiSwitch.
Fortinet switches are reliable, with minimal complaints over more than a year of usage, supported by a good reputation for stability.
When used in a dedicated Fortinet infrastructure, FortiSwitch scalability is better than some other switches, like Cisco, Meraki, or Arista, scoring over nine out of ten.
Fortinet provides good support, involving distributors and channel partners. Technical partners provide responses within a day for any technical queries.
Positive
If the scope of work is well-defined, one or two people can efficiently deploy FortiSwitch, even in a data center setup.
We maintain our customers' data centers, and the maintenance work, performed quarterly, ensures everything operates smoothly. It typically involves not more than two engineers.
The integration of Fortinet infrastructure, including FortiSwitches, is cost-effective compared to Cisco, especially when paired with Fortinet wireless solutions.
The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.
There is a comparison between Fortinet, Cisco, and Arista, however, Fortinet's integration is more compatible with its own ecosystem.
The recommendation of FortiSwitch depends on the infrastructure. If using Fortinet appliances, it is a better option compared to other solutions.
I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.
Positive
Our primary use case involves working with Fortinet's firewall systems and their integration with Fortinet switches, particularly in the context of managing and securing networks.
The solution has allowed for seamless management and integration when using Fortinet's products, reducing challenges that arise when integrating hardware from different vendors.
FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface. This integration makes network management streamlined and secure. Additionally, the controllers are built into the firewall, which enables easy management of traffic and enhances security.
Unlike some solutions, a Fortinet firewall is not just a firewall; it also acts as a full-fledged router.
There is room to improve the integration between FortiSwitch and other third-party solutions, as challenges arise when integrating with different vendors.
Fortinet has also stopped supporting SSL VPN on the 60 series hardware, which has created some constraints.
The stability of the solution is impacted when integrating parts from different vendors such as Cisco, which can lead to performance problems and disconnections.
Scalability is generally good, with transitions from gigabit to ten giga, twenty-five giga, and forty giga. However, businesses are increasingly turning to hybrid models due to cost factors.
When transitioning from Cisco to Fortinet, the integrations presented challenges, especially when both systems were used simultaneously to meet cost objectives.
Pricing is competitive, although it's not the cheapest option. Fortinet solutions are often on par with their competitors, with occasional discounts available.
I recommend using Fortinet FortiSwitch, particularly if the Fortinet infrastructure is already in place, as it simplifies the management of complex file systems and VLANs.
If budget is a major concern, other options can be considered to maintain performance without compromising cost. Overall, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Our customers are from various industries, such as finance, banking, manufacturing, distributors, and MNCs. We manage all managed services for Fortinet, including data centers, networking, and cybersecurity. We are a reseller and partner of Fortinet Switches for more than five years.
The solution has allowed us to offer cost-effective options for customers with minimum budgets and provide higher-end solutions for those with higher budgets.
The main benefit of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is that it is cost-effective for customers with a minimum budget. It allows us to manage all necessary services, such as data centers, networking, and cybersecurity. The device is easy to configure and use. Additionally, it provides efficient alert functions and automatic adjustments to ensure peak performance.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center could integrate AI capabilities for easier management, accessibility, and configuration, similar to what Juniper offers. Enhancing security on the firewall and the switches, as well as focusing on price segment issues, would make it a better solution for the future.
It has been around one and a half years for Fortinet Data Center and more than two years for Juniper Data Center.
Some customers report issues within six months to a year, such as the firewall not working and IP down. That said, overall, I would rate it eight out of ten for stability.
On scalability, I would rate it eight out of ten.
If compared with Meraki, Meraki is much better as it has no issues and offers easy configuration. Juniper also offers better integration and easier management with AI capabilities.
The initial setup is easy and takes around three to four hours to configure. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate it eight for ease of setup.
ROI depends on the customer's budget. If they have a higher budget, they might opt for higher-end solutions. Fortinet is a cost-effective solution that is easy to configure and use.
On a scale of one to ten, where ten is expensive, I would rate the cost as seven. The pricing and licensing specifics are handled by my networking and Alliance teams, so I do not have detailed information on that.
While I prefer Juniper Data Center due to its AI integration for easier management, if a customer has a low budget, we pitch Fortinet or Palo Alto based on their needs.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is a good option for customers with minimum budgets. It ensures peak performance within your network and is easy to configure. Single-pane-of-glass management and automatic adjustments make it advantageous.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
We use Fortinet FortiSwitch—Data Center to switch and manage our data centres. It handles network connectivity between them and supports our internet applications.
All the features are necessary, like tracking evidence and IPS. However, I appreciate the ability to connect the logs and the dashboard functionality.
Cisco is better in terms of price, scalability, and ease of management. Regarding resources, they are available in Pakistan to manage these systems.
I have been using the product for more than two years.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is stable.
The solution's scalability is modular; you can add as many switches as you want. If you deploy the solution tailored to your specific requirements, it can handle maximum traffic capacity without any degradation.
I am satisfied with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center's support.
Positive
I have used Cisco. If the price is right, I would choose Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center over Cisco.
Thanks to the availability of a graphical user interface, installing the switches is not complicated, and configuring them is easier. The time required for deployment depends on the specifics of your project. Setting up a new data centre will generally take less time than migrating from other hardware. Migrating involves replicating the configuration of your existing environment, which can extend the time needed.
To deploy the solution, you typically need support from a Fortinet engineer. Additionally, depending on your data centre, you might need about two to three other personnel.
In the short term, both Cisco and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center's ROI are okay. However, in the long term, Cisco is better than Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center. So, our ROI is better with Cisco in the long term because they can arrange it quickly if you need a replacement for Cisco. But if you encounter a disaster with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center, it takes time, and the ROI will be reduced.
The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is open to AI integration. I rate the overall product a nine out of ten.
Our primary use case for this solution is facilitating internal networking within our environment. It helps us manage numerous clients within our data center. Specifically, we utilize VLANs to establish and maintain the network infrastructure.
The platform's most valuable feature is the intuitive graphical user interface, which simplifies the configuration of VLANs and settings. Additionally, it is easy to manage and integrate.
Enabling management through Fortinet self-service could enhance the product by simplifying operations. Having a unified interface for managing all aspects would be beneficial.
They could improve availability and security by detecting and preventing switch attacks.
We have been using FortiSwitch for four years.
I rate the platform's stability an eight out of ten.
The FortiSwitch models could have more fiber ports and support for competitive SFPs. We are currently encountering issues related to SPF models.
Our system caters to many users, potentially in the thousands, especially considering inputs from external environments such as users interacting with the payment system.
We previously used Dell switches or another solution, which were easier to set up than Fortinet. Later, we switched to Fortinet as it proved quick to set up, providing a centralized platform for configuring all necessary components.
The initial setup was simple. All it required was connecting the cable to the correct port, which took only a few minutes.
The product has a mid-range price. Generally, switches are expensive. I rate the pricing a five out of ten.
The platform is suitable for midscale companies. I recommend it to others and rate it a seven out of ten.
We use the product for SD-WAN features.
SD-WAN and the security fabric are essential features of the product.
The UI of the firewall and reporting could be improved.
I have been using Fortinet FortiSwitch Data Center for three years.
The product is stable.
The product's scalability is good. We have more than 1400 users using it. The current infrastructure can handle 2,000 users.
I've used Sophos before.
The initial setup is simple. To deploy a switch, we have to configure it in the headquarters, ship it to the branch, plug it in, and start using it.
Implementation is the responsibility of the vendor from where we bought the product. They are the ones assisting us until the implementation is done.
Overall, I rate Fortinet FortiSwitch Data Center an eight out of ten.
Based on my use cases, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center was a great product that was easy to manage and work with while being a powerful tool.
Identifying devices and managing VLAN routing are areas where the solution has improved the functioning of my organization. It was easy to work in the aforementioned areas.
The solution's valuable feature was to have the possibility to manage it with a central point which means that from FortiGate, it was really easy to manage with FortiSwitch management.
Managing the VLANs is an area where the solution lacks and needs to improve.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is a complete product with everything. It would be good if the solution could be easier for its users to manage.
I have been using Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center for a year. I use the solution's latest version.
The solution's stability is awesome. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
The solution's technical support can be described as a complete one. The solution has a lot of documentation, and it is really easy to go through it.
The solution is deployed on-premises.
The solution's initial setup was pretty straightforward.
I have experienced an ROI using the solution.
The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users.
I would suggest others take time to learn the product before using it, and it can help a lot of people. You can know your product if you take the time to learn and read.
Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
